She said Judges’ professional success or otherwise is hinged largely on the support of Ghanaians.

 

Mrs Wood was speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for nine high court judges, 11 circuit court judges and 11 magistrates in Accra.

 

The high court judges included Mr Asmah Akwasi Asiedu, Mr William Boampong, Kwame Gyamfi Osei, Daniel K. Obeng, Mr Francis Obiri, Mrs Juliana E. Amonoo-Neizer, Mr Kwaku Tawiah Achaa-Boafo, Mrs Afua Sarpomaa Amoah and Mrs Jennifer Abena Dadzie.

 

The judges were selected through a rigorous examination process, interviews and analyses of cases presented to them.

 

The judges took three oaths including Oath of Allegiance, Judicial Oath and Oath of Secrecy.

 

She warned that litigating parties either acting by themselves or through their agents would want to exploit their relationship with judges for their selfish ends.

 

“I urge you to be on your guard and be quick to resist such advances,” she added.

 

She said their recruitment was done transparently, competitively and fairly.

 

She attributed the succesful inauguration to the fact that the Judicial Council was very mindful of building a meritocratic judiciary, adding that the appointments were all clearly based on merit.

 

According to her, by refusing to participate in acts that undermine and threatened substantive independence of judges, judges are defending the institutional integrity and independence of the judicial branch of government.